LASA 2010 LAPIS panel proposals

[Miguel Centellas]

This is an open discussion for proposals for panels/roundtables for the 2010 LASA conference in Toronto. Because individual papers have a smaller likelihood of acceptance, we thought it best to coordiate entire panels/roundtables for submission. As a section, we can submit at least two "official" panels; but individuals can submit other panel proposals directly to LASA as well.

Even if you only have an idea for an individual paper, please post it here, along with a brief "topic" suggesion. Hopefully, we can organically start to put papers together to form panels.

[Charles Kenney]

In light of the recent events in Honduras and presidential instability generally in the region, I would be interested in organizing (or participating in) a panel dealing with presidentialism, political instability, and hyper-presidentialist concentration of power. Some may feel that we already know enough about this topic, having been discussed extensively in past years and having been the subject of important work by the likes of Mainwaring, Shugart, Jones, Cheibub, Perez-Linan, etc., but I think this would be a good time to take a new look at this topic.

Charlie Kenney

[Miguel Centellas]

Charles, I like that idea quite a bit. What about something like "The New Presidentialism in Latin America"? This way we could have papers on some of the new characters not included in the earlier works (which focused on presidents of the 1990s). This could build on earlier works and/or contribute new insights.

[Charles Kenney]

Miguel, your suggestion sound very good to me; I like the title and the concept.

Charlie

Miguel Centellas said:

Charles, I like that idea quite a bit. What about something like "The New Presidentialism in Latin America"? This way we could have papers on some of the new characters not included in the earlier works (which focused on presidents of the 1990s). This could build on earlier works and/or contribute new insights.

[Miguel Centellas]

I'm currently gathering data for a project on legislative committee appointments/careers in Bolivia. Would anyone else be interested in a panel on Latin American legislatures?

[Claudia Heiss]

Hi. I am interested in participating in a panel in LASA with a paper on the constitutional history of the state of exception in Chile (part of my PhD dissertation at the New School for Social Research). I think this could fit a panel on hyper-presidentialism, given that states of exception have been a source of additional power for Latin American presidents (as Shuggart and Carey suggest in their book on Executive Decree authority). If your panel is already full or you think this topic is not adequate, i would greatly appreciate if you can suggest me other contacts or people you may know working on related topics. Thanks!
Claudia.

[Miguel Centellas]

Claudia: The topic sounds really interesting. Sadly, I think the panels are full at this point. I might try contacting Charles Kenney right away (he's organizing the presidentialism panel). Otherwise, you may want to contact Greg Weeks (I think he's putting together a Chile panel for another section). Good luck!